Iran

Iran is a major focus of Middle East geopolitics, energy transportation and sanctions-related finance. The United States and Iran recently reached a preliminary agreement on a comprehensive 60-day ceasefire, though the risk of military action has not disappeared. The United States has also imposed sanctions on Iranian crypto exchanges including Nobitex, while Iran is exploring a Bitcoin-based shipping insurance market for the Strait of Hormuz. These developments affect oil supplies, maritime shipping, cross-border financial flows and crypto prices, making progress on the ceasefire, sanctions enforcement and changes in regional security important areas to watch.